Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is teaching a patient with hypertension about the DASH diet. What is the most important instruction to include?

• A. Increase the patient's intake of fruits and vegetables.
• B. Limit the patient's intake of saturated fats.
• C. Encourage the patient to reduce sodium intake.
• D. Recommend the patient avoid caffeine.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to encourage the patient to reduce sodium intake. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet emphasizes reducing sodium intake to help manage hypertension. While increasing fruits and vegetables (Choice A) is important in the DASH diet, reducing sodium intake is considered more crucial. Limiting saturated fats (Choice B) is beneficial but not as critical as reducing sodium. Avoiding caffeine (Choice D) is not a specific recommendation of the DASH diet for managing hypertension.

2. When caring for a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube, what is the most appropriate intervention to prevent aspiration?

• A. Flush the NG tube with water before each feeding.
• B. Check the placement of the NG tube before each feeding.
• C. Elevate the head of the bed to 30-45 degrees.
• D. Provide the patient with oral care every 4 hours.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed to 30-45 degrees is the most appropriate intervention to prevent aspiration in a patient with an NG tube. This position helps reduce the risk of regurgitation and aspiration by promoting the proper flow of contents through the gastrointestinal tract and minimizing the chances of stomach contents entering the airway. Flushing the NG tube with water before each feeding may not directly prevent aspiration. Checking the placement of the NG tube is important but does not specifically address the prevention of aspiration. Providing oral care every 4 hours is essential for maintaining oral hygiene but is not directly related to preventing aspiration in a patient with an NG tube.

3. A nurse is caring for a client following an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Which of the following assessments is the nurse's priority?

• A. Level of consciousness
• B. Pain
• C. Nausea
• D. Gag reflex

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is assessing the gag reflex. This is the priority assessment following an EGD procedure to prevent aspiration. Checking the gag reflex helps ensure the client's airway protection. Assessing the level of consciousness is important, but ensuring the client can protect their airway takes precedence. Pain and nausea assessments are also essential but are secondary to maintaining airway patency.

4. The patient experienced a surgical procedure, and Betadine was utilized as the surgical prep. Two days postoperatively, the nurse's assessment indicates that the incision is red and has a small amount of purulent drainage. The patient reports tenderness at the incision site. The patient's temperature is 100.5°F, and the WBC is 10,500/mm³. Which action should the nurse take first?

• A. Reevaluate the temperature and white blood cell count in 4 hours.
• B. Check which solution was used for skin preparation in surgery.
• C. Plan to change the surgical dressing during the shift.
• D. Utilize SBAR to notify the primary health care provider.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The patient is showing signs of a possible surgical site infection, including redness, purulent drainage, tenderness, elevated temperature, and increased white blood cell count. These symptoms suggest the need for immediate action to address a potential complication. Utilizing SBAR to notify the primary health care provider is crucial as it allows for effective communication of the patient's condition and the need for further assessment and intervention. Reevaluating the temperature and white blood cell count later, checking the solution used for skin preparation, or planning to change the dressing do not address the urgent need for intervention and communication with the healthcare provider.

5. The nurse is observing the way a patient walks. What aspect is the nurse assessing?

• A. Body alignment
• B. Gait
• C. Activity tolerance
• D. Range of motion

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Gait. Gait refers to the manner in which a person walks, including aspects such as stride length, step width, and walking speed. When a nurse observes a patient's gait, they are assessing their mobility and looking for any abnormalities or issues in their walking pattern. Choice A, body alignment, focuses more on the posture and position of the body rather than the actual walking pattern. Choice C, activity tolerance, relates to the ability to withstand physical activity without experiencing excessive fatigue. Choice D, range of motion, pertains to the extent of movement at a joint and is not directly related to observing the way a patient walks.

Similar Questions